Repentance Over Presumption
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context
Repentance over presumption involves recognizing and turning away from the sin of assuming upon God's grace or acting with unwarranted confidence in one's own plans without seeking God's guidance. Presumption can manifest as taking God's mercy for granted, making decisions without prayerful consideration, or assuming that one's actions are automatically aligned with God's will.

Biblical Examples and Teachings
The Bible provides several examples and teachings that highlight the dangers of presumption and the necessity of repentance. One notable instance is found in the account of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul presumptuously offers a burnt offering, a duty reserved for the prophet Samuel, due to his impatience and fear of losing his army. This act of presumption leads to God's rejection of Saul's kingship. Saul's failure to repent sincerely for his presumption results in further disobedience and ultimately his downfall.

Another example is found in the New Testament with the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. The rich man presumes upon his wealth and future, planning to build larger barns to store his goods, without acknowledging God's sovereignty over his life. Jesus concludes the parable with a warning: "But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’" (Luke 12:20). This parable underscores the folly of presumption and the need for repentance and reliance on God.

Theological Insights
Presumption is often rooted in pride and self-reliance, which are contrary to the humility and dependence on God that Scripture advocates. James 4:13-16 warns against presumptive planning: "Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.’ You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.’" . This passage emphasizes the importance of submitting one's plans to God's will and recognizing human limitations.

Repentance over presumption involves a heartfelt acknowledgment of one's overconfidence and a turning back to God in humility. It requires a change of mind and heart, aligning one's actions with God's will and seeking His guidance in all things. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." . This trust and acknowledgment are central to overcoming presumption.

Practical Application
Believers are called to examine their lives for areas of presumption and to seek God's forgiveness and guidance. This involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and a willingness to submit to God's direction. The practice of humility and the cultivation of a contrite heart are essential in maintaining a posture of repentance over presumption. As 1 John 1:9 assures, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." . This promise encourages believers to approach God with confidence in His mercy and grace, turning away from presumption and towards a life of faithful obedience.
Subtopics

Repentance

Repentance by the Operation of the Holy Spirit

Repentance by the Preaching of Haggai

Repentance by the Preaching of Oded

Repentance in Asking for a King

Repentance in the Time of Asa, by the Preaching of Azariah

Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines

Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf

Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft

Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra

Repentance: Ahab, when Reproved by Elijah for Ahab's Idolatry

Repentance: At the Dedication of the Second Temple

Repentance: Attributed to God

Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness

Repentance: Because of Their Idolatrous Marriages

Repentance: Because of Their Oppressive Usury

Repentance: Called Repentance to Life

Repentance: Called Repentance to Salvation

Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To

Repentance: Christ Exalted to Give

Repentance: Commanded by Christ

Repentance: Commanded to all by God

Repentance: Condition of God's Favor

Repentance: Conviction of Sin Necessary To

Repentance: Danger of Neglecting

Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder

Repentance: Denied to Apostates

Repentance: Exemplified

Repentance: Exhortation To

Repentance: Exhortations To

Repentance: False: Ahab

Repentance: False: Judas

Repentance: False: Saul

Repentance: Given by God

Repentance: Hezekiah, at the Time of his Sickness

Repentance: Illustrated

Repentance: Illustrated: Paul

Repentance: Illustrated: The Prodigal Son

Repentance: Illustrated: The Repentant Son

Repentance: Jehoahaz

Repentance: Jonah, After his Punishment

Repentance: Joseph's Brothers, of Their Maltreatment of Joseph

Repentance: Josiah, when he Heard the Law of God Which had been Discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah

Repentance: Judas

Repentance: Manasseh, when he Was Carried Away Captive to Babylon by the King of Assyria

Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their

Repentance: Necessary to the Pardon of Sin

Repentance: Neglect of, Followed by Swift Judgment

Repentance: Not to be Repented of

Repentance: Peter, Because of his Denial of Jesus

Repentance: Pharaoh, of his Hardness of Heart

Repentance: Preached by Christ

Repentance: Preached by John the Baptist

Repentance: Preached by the Apostles

Repentance: Preached in the Name of Christ

Repentance: Rehoboam, when his Kingdom Was Invaded, and Jerusalem Was Besieged

Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water

Repentance: Saul, at the Rebuke of Samuel for not Destroying the Amalekites

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Confession

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Conversion

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Faith

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Greater Zeal in the Path of Duty

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Humility

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Prayer

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Self-Abhorrence

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Idolatry

Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Sin

Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits

Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of Jesus

Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of John the Baptist

Repentance: The Disobedient Son

Repentance: The Ephesians, by the Preaching of Paul

Repentance: The Jews, by the Preaching of John the Baptist

Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah

Repentance: The Present Time the Season For

Repentance: The Prodigal Son

Repentance: The Wicked: Averse To

Repentance: The Wicked: Condemned for Neglecting

Repentance: The Wicked: Neglect the Time Given For

Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God

Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference

Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus With Oil

Repentance: There is Joy in Heaven Over One Sinner Brought To

Repentance: True: Corinthians

Repentance: True: David

Repentance: True: Israelites

Repentance: True: Job

Repentance: True: Manasseh

Repentance: True: Nineveh

Repentance: True: Peter

Repentance: True: Thief on the Cross

Repentance: True: Zacchaeus

Repentance: Unavailing: To Esau

Repentance: Unavailing: To Israel

Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Repentance: Under the Influence of Hezekiah

Repentance: we should be Led To, by Godly Sorrow Works

Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Chastisements of God

Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Goodness of God

Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Patience of God

Repentance: What It Is

Repentance: when Rebuked by an Angel for not Expelling the Canaanites

Repentance: when Reproved by the Prophet Micah

Related Terms

Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)

Repented (49 Occurrences)

Naboth (18 Occurrences)

Penitent (7 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Best (252 Occurrences)

Blameless (81 Occurrences)

Lily (9 Occurrences)

Anthropomorphism

King (25505 Occurrences)

Government (20 Occurrences)

Repentance (28 Occurrences)

Love (703 Occurrences)

Hand (14438 Occurrences)

Church (110 Occurrences)

Christ (573 Occurrences)

Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf
Top of Page
Top of Page